Dugout Discussion

Defence proves popular in Russia v Saudia Arabia

World Cup Fantasy managers have a first chance to see their players in action as Russia take on Saudi Arabia in the opening fixture.

The showdown takes place in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the venue which will host next month’s final.

Despite both sides combining for just five clean sheets in 22 matches, defensive assets have proved the most popular for the encounter.

Goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf (£4.0m) comes into the opener with five percent ownership on McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy, more than any other in the match.

Meanwhile, Russian counterpart Igor Akinfeev (£5.0m) and Mohamed Alburayk (£4.0m) both have a three percent share of worldwide managers.

Alexandr Samedov (£7.5m) is the most likely to do well this afternoon, having been involved in 11 goals in the nation’s last 20 matches. Despite that, Samedov has between zero and one percent ownership.

STARTING LINE-UPS

4-2-3-1: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Gazinskiy, Zobnin, Golovin, Dzagoev, Samedov; Smolov.

4-5-1: Al-Maiouf; Alburayk, Os.Hawsawi, Om.Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani; Otayf, Al-Dawsari, Al-Faraj, Al-Jassam, Al-Shehri, Al-Sahlawi

970 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Why Always Me
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Cavani and Suarez double up for Saudi and Russia

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I am.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Worth considering on GW2 WC

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Gw2 WC locked in. Need to check if there are even more crap teams

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Panama similar level

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          But panama face England and Tunisia after this round. Do we expect England to roll them over?

          1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            No. Scrappy 1-0 vardy scuffed goal 86'

            1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Seriously they should beat them with 3 or 4 goals
              So should belgium

            2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Ofc 🙂

  2. Prince of Persia
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Iran has the most mysterious team ever. I myself can not be sure about the half of the starting lineup.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Do they have shoes now?

      1. Prince of Persia
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        That was a shocking news. But these restrictions will make Iranian players stronger, I'm telling you. 🙂

    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Will Ali Daei start?

      1. Prince of Persia
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Now he is too fat to start. 😀 😀

  3. Urchin
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Kutepov captain today, 12 points aint bad.
    Switch to Cavani tomorrow?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You must be fun at parties.

      1. Urchin
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

    2. Shels
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Is that the Russian def with a long ball assist... Um...

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      100% imo

  4. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Annoying You can’t see other teams in mini leagues is that expected to change on score update?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I doubt it. Probably after the whole game round has finished at the earliest.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      More importantly is the option to make in round changes not open yet?

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No expectations

  5. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    *checks bracket*
    *Saudi at the bottom of their group*
    *smiles*

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Well your usernam is wrong

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Username*

        So is my spelling

  6. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Gotta pass the time. What's the continental make-up of your team? Mine is:

    Africa: 1
    Asia: 1
    Europe: 6
    Americas: 7

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      New post

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      This is dry

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Africa- 4
      Asia- 0
      Europe- 6
      America- 5

  7. Prince of Persia
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is it only me or anyone else doesn't have either Messi, Neymar or Ronaldo? Jesus, Iwobi and Griezmann in attack.

    1. Urchin
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      luka cavani jesus

      Mueller is great value at 9.5, he and Kimmich were first two players i picked.

      1. Prince of Persia
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I'm scared of not owning Kimmich as well. 😀

  8. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So Russia were good, Saudi were crap... But what was AlDawsari?

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Never heard of him.

    2. Prince of Persia
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He is a good player, I know him. But can't see him do anything in this team.

  9. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone used their FT yet?

    1. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm taking a couple of hits and tripling up with Saudi defenders.

  10. Alex_thekid
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone scored over 30 - 40 points today? Well done to the people who did

    1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Well done? They gonna be last after the group phase.

  11. Alex_thekid
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Score check 0 points from 0 players lol

    1. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Lmao

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